The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA) downgraded its flood warning statement to a flood watch for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River Wednesday.

Water levels on the St. Lawrence River at Brockville were measured at 75.15 metres above sea level, still well above the average, says the CRCA. As of early Thursday afternoon it had fluctuated slightly upward to 75.16 metres.

The water levels at Brockville peaked on June 3, with water reaching 75.61 metres, an increase from the high of 75.56 seen in 2017.

“Levels are expected to continue to decline this week, however, there remains a risk of flooding and high-water impacts during periods of active weather,” said the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board through the CRCA statement.

Up the river in Lake Ontario, the water level is at 75.64 metres, down almost a foot from its peak in June. Although the levels have been declining, the outflows from the lake remain at a record high of 10,400 cubic metres per second.

The risk of flooding due to active weather is one of the reasons Richard Diesch still has more than 300 sandbags at his property.

“At this level of water I don’t think I feel comfortable taking those away yet,” said Diesch, who previously spoke to The Recorder and Times in late June about the damage to his property from the river.

“I’ll probably take the sandbags out soon, I’d just like to see (the water levels) go down a little further.

“It hasn’t been long since the water was still on the property; you can get a strong wind and bring the water back onto my backyard.”

The CRCA says residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas should continue to pay attention to forecasts, particularly for storms with high winds from the southeast, south and southwest.

“The water is down, but it’s still high on the river,” said Diesch. “I’m still concerned about the water levels.”

He said the water level is currently the highest he can remember for this time of year at his riverside home in Maitland. The flooding was not something that Diesch expected, considering a once-in-100-years flood happened only two years ago.

“After what happened two years ago, I thought this sort of thing wouldn’t happen again,” said Diesch, who added the level and damage to property was worse this year than what the flooding in 2017 brought.

“The water level was a lot higher and it just shot up so quickly this year,” said Diesch, comparing this year to two years ago.

Diesch had 12 pumps working to remove water from the bottom level of his home for months this year, finally having the water leave a couple of weeks ago.

“I had to gut a couple rooms, take flooring, drywall and installation out,” said Diesch. “A small amount of water can do a lot of damage.”

“The water rose and stayed high for such a long time,” said Diesch.

The CRCA first issued a flood warning on May 8, when water levels reached 75.5 metres on the river. By June the levels reached their peaks, resulting in the closing of Blockhouse Island to vehicular traffic on two separate occasions. The unprecedented closing of the island for vehicles was due to concern of damage to the road base by cars.

For further information on water levels, wind and wave forecasts, and provincial flood messages visit www.crca.ca/flood.